In one of the worst tragedies to hit Kerala, a major fire engulfed the 100-year-old Puttingal Devi Temple complex near Kollam when roughly 10,000 people were watching a display of fireworks on Sunday morning.
Here’s what we know so far about the tragic incident:
- At least 110 people have died and 383 others were injured. The injured have been admitted to various hospitals.
- Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy announced financial compensation of Rs 10 lakh to kin of each of those killed in fire tragedy, Rs 2 lakh for seriously injured and Rs 50,000 for those with minor injuries.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who termed the incident as “heart-rending” and “shocking”, rushed to the accident site to personally take stock of the situation and see the injured people.
- Modi announced Rs 2 lakh each as compensation for the next of the kin of the dead and Rs 50,000 each for the injured.
- Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi visited the accident site accompanied by Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala.
- A judicial probe by a retired High Court Judge has been ordered by the state government along with an investigation by crime branch into the tragedy.
- The tragedy struck around 3.30 am on Sunday during display of fireworks at the temple complex, which is around 70 kms from the state capital Thiruvananthapuram.
- The mishap occurred as sparks of the fireworks fell on the store room ‘Kambapura’, and the fire crackers kept there exploded with a deafening noise, which could be heard over a radius of one kilometre.
- The whole area plunged into darkness as the power supply went off and people ran helter-skelter.
- No permission had been granted for any kind of fireworks display.
- Top officials of the Puttingal Devi temple have reportedly gone missing, reports Hindustan Times.
- Police sources have informed PTI that a case has been registered against temple authorities and explosive licencees under section 307 (Attempt to murder), and 308 (Attempt to commit culpable homicide) of IPC and under section 4 of Explosives Substances Act.
(With inputs from PTI)
(Feature image source: PTI)